Engineered heart muscle allografts for heart repair in primates and humans.

Cardiomyocytes can be implanted to remuscularize the failing heart. Challenges include sufficient cardiomyocyte retention for a sustainable therapeutic impact without intolerable side effects, such as arrhythmia and tumour growth. We investigated the hypothesis that epicardial engineered heart muscle (EHM) allografts from induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes and stromal cells structurally and functionally remuscularize the chronically failing heart without limiting side effects in rhesus macaques.

Prognostic Value of Coronary Angiography-Derived Index of Microcirculatory Resistance in Patients With Intermediate Coronary Stenosis.

Background: The association between coronary microcirculation and clinical outcomes in patients with intermediate stenosis remains unclear.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic significance of angiography-derived index of microcirculatory resistance (angio-IMR) in patients with intermediate coronary stenosis.

Methods: This post hoc analysis included 1,658 patients from the FLAVOUR (Fractional Flow Reserve and Intravascular Ultrasound for Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Intermediate Stenosis) trial, with angio-IMR measured in each vessel exhibiting intermediate stenosis.

Characterization and Localization of Focal Atrial Tachycardia in Patients With Adult Congenital Heart Disease.

Background: In patients with structurally normal hearts, algorithms using surface electrocardiographic P-wave morphology are helpful to predict focal atrial tachycardia (FAT) location. However, these algorithms have not been formally assessed in patients with adult congenital heart disease (ACHD).

Objectives: This study sought to assess the efficacy of FAT-location prediction algorithms in an adult population of patients with ACHD.

Multi-diagnostic chest-worn patch to detect obstructive sleep apnea and cardiac arrhythmias.

Study Objectives: Evaluate the performance of the SANSA device to simultaneously assess obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and cardiac arrhythmias.

Methods: Participants suspected or known to have OSA underwent polysomnography (PSG) while wearing SANSA. SANSA's algorithm was trained using 86 records and tested on 67 to evaluate training bias.

Association of Pulse Prssure Index With Mortality in Patients With Hypertension: Results From NHANES 1999-2018.

Vascular compliance is an important predictor of cardiovascular disease and mortality. Pulse pressure index (PPI) is a reliable indicator for evaluating vascular compliance. However, the association between PPI, all-cause mortality (ACM), and cardiovascular mortality (CVM) in patients with hypertension is still unclear.

Untargeted metabolomics reveals biomarkers for the diagnosis of coronary artery plaques as observed by coronary cardiac computed tomography.

Atherosclerosis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide; in Israel, ischemic heart disease is the second leading cause of death for both genders aged 45 and above. Atherosclerosis involves stiffening of the arteries due to the accumulation of lipids and oxidized lipids on the blood vessel walls, triggering the development of artery plaque. Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common manifestation of atherosclerosis.

Elevated Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio as a Predictor of All-Cause and Cardiovascular Mortality in Hypertensive Individuals.

The platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) has been proposed as a promising inflammatory biomarker, with potential implications for cardiovascular prognosis. However, its association with mortality outcomes in hypertensive individuals is not fully elucidated. This investigation sought to clarify the linkage between PLR and both overall and cardiovascular mortality in hypertensive individuals.

Hereditary Transthyretin Amyloidosis in Israel: Genetic Landscape and Clinical Characteristics.

Background: Hereditary transthyretin (ATTRv) amyloidosis is a rare, adult-onset autosomal-dominant disorder caused by pathogenic variants in the transthyretin (TTR) gene. Data about relevant variants in specific populations and typical initial manifestations may facilitate early diagnosis and treatment. We here describe the genetic landscape of ATTRv amyloidosis in Israel.

Genetic association analysis of lipid-lowering drug target genes in chronic kidney disease.

Objective: The impact of lipid-lowering medications on chronic kidney disease (CKD) remains a subject of debate. This Mendelian randomization (MR) study aims to elucidate the potential effects of lipid-lowering drug targets on CKD development.

Methods: We extracted 11 genetic variants encoding targets of lipid-lowering drugs from published genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary statistics, encompassing LDLR, HMGCR, PCSK9, NPC1L1, APOB, ABCG5/ABCG8, LPL, APOC3, ANGPTL3, and PPARA.

Association between D-dimer to lymphocyte ratio and in hospital all-cause mortality in elderly patients with sepsis: a cohort of 1123 patients.

Background: The D-dimer to lymphocyte ratio (DLR), a novel inflammatory biomarker, had been shown to be related to adverse outcomes in patients with various diseases. However, there was limited research on the relationship between the DLR and adverse outcomes in patients with infectious diseases, particularly those with sepsis. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the association between the DLR and in hospital all-cause mortality in elderly patients with sepsis.

Screening of biomarkers for diagnosing chronic kidney disease and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction through bioinformatics analysis.

Background: Previous research has established that chronic kidney disease (CKD) and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) often coexist. Although we have a preliminary understanding of the potential correlation between HFpEF and CKD, the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms remain unclear. This study aimed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms associated with CKD and HFpEF through bioinformatics analysis.

Left Atrial Markers in Diagnosing and Prognosticating Non-Ischemic Cardiomyopathies: Ready for Prime Time?

The left atrium (LA) is pivotal in cardiac hemodynamics, serving as a dynamic indicator of left ventricular (LV) compliance and diastolic function. The LA undergoes structural and functional adaptations in response to hemodynamic stress, infiltrative processes, myocardial injury, and arrhythmic triggers. Remodeling of the LA in response to these stressors directly impacts pulmonary circulation, eventually leading to pulmonary capillary involvement, pulmonary artery hypertension, and eventually right ventricular failure.

Impact of kidney volume on incidence of in-hospital kidney-related adverse outcomes in patients with acute heart failure.

Background: Recent studies revealed an association between small kidney volume and progression of kidney dysfunction in particular settings such as kidney transplantation and transcatheter aortic valve implantation. We hypothesized that kidney volume was associated with the incidence of kidney-related adverse outcomes such as worsening renal function (WRF) in patients with acute heart failure (AHF).

Methods: This study was a single-center retrospective cohort study.

Identification of biomarkers associated with coronary artery disease and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by bioinformatics analysis and machine learning.

The constantly emerging evidence indicates a close association between coronary artery disease (CAD) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, the exact mechanisms underlying their mutual relationship remain undefined. This study aims to explore the common signature genes, potential mechanisms, diagnostic markers, and therapeutic targets for CAD and NAFLD.

Novel brain SPECT imaging unravels abnormal cerebral perfusion in patients with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome and cognitive dysfunction.

Cognitive dysfunction is frequently reported in individuals with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), possibly resulting from reduced cerebral blood flow (CBF). We used brain SPECT, an accessible imaging modality that has not been systematically evaluated in this patient group. Retrospective review of participants from our registry was undertaken to identify those who had a brain SPECT performed for investigation of cognitive dysfunction.

Platelet-white cell ratio is more strongly associated with mortality than other common risk ratios derived from complete blood counts.

Complete blood count indices and their ratios are associated with adverse clinical outcomes for many acute illnesses, but the mechanisms generating these associations are not fully understood. Recent identification of a consistent pattern of white blood cell and platelet count co-regulation during acute inflammatory recovery provides a potentially unifying explanation. Here we show that the platelet-to-white-cell ratio, which was selected based on this conserved recovery pattern, is more strongly associated with mortality than other blood count markers and ratios in four important illnesses involving acute inflammation: COVID-19, acute heart failure, myocardial infarction, and stroke.

European Society of Cardiology quality indicators for the management of acute coronary syndrome.

Background: Closing the evidence-practice gap for the treatment of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is central to improving quality of care. Under the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) framework, we aimed to develop updated quality indicators (QIs) for the evaluation of quality of care and outcomes for patients with ACS.

Methods: A Working Group of experts including members of the ESC Clinical Practice Guidelines Task Force for ACS, Acute CardioVascular Care Association and European Association of Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions followed the ESC methodology for QI development.

The role of circular RNAs in autoimmune diseases: Potential diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

With the emergence of high-quality sequencing technologies, further research on transcriptomes has become possible. Circular RNA (circRNA), a novel type of endogenous RNA molecule with a covalently closed circular structure through "back-splicing," is reported to be widely present in eukaryotic cells and participates mainly in regulating gene and protein expression in various ways. It is becoming a research hotspot in the non-coding RNA field.

Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing.

AbstractBecause symptoms of cardiopulmonary disease often occur with exertion, cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) has a unique role in the assessment of patient symptoms, disease severity, prognosis, and response to therapy. In addition to the evaluation of cardiovascular and pulmonary physiology, CPET provides an assessment of the interaction of the cardiovascular and pulmonary systems with the musculoskeletal, nervous, and hematological systems. In this article, we review key CPET variables, protocols, and clinical indications.

Diagnostic Utility of Relative Apical Sparing Index in Cardiac Amyloidosis Subtypes: A Comparative Study of Immunoglobulin Light Chain and Transthyretin Amyloid Cardiomyopathy.

Background: Speckles tracking echocardiography imaging enables clinicians to detect subtle systolic dysfunction. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the differences in speckle tracking echocardiographic findings between immunoglobulin light chain amyloid cardiomyopathy (AL-CM) and transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (TTR-CM).

Methods: The patients with a confirmed diagnosis of cardiac amyloidosis through cardiac biopsy from March 2013 to October 2022 were included.

Evaluation of Right and Left Ventricular Deformation Analysis in İdiopathic Right Bundle Branch Block by Speckle Tracking Echocardiography.

Background: Idiopathic right bundle branch block (RBBB) is often seen as harmless and common. However, many studies show it might be linked to negative health outcomes. So, it is crucial to fully understand how RBBB affects the heart's ventricles.

Aldosterone and Potassium in Heart Failure: Overcoming This Major Impediment in Clinical Practice.

Aldosterone is a key regulator of fluid and electrolyte balance in the body. It is often dysregulated in heart failure (HF) and is a key driver of cardiac remodelling and worse clinical outcomes. Potassium regulation is essential for normal cardiac, gastrointestinal and neuromuscular function.

Construction of a potentially functional long noncoding RNA-microRNA-mRNA network in diabetic cardiomyopathy.

Background: Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a severe complication among patients with Type 2 diabetes, significantly increasing heart failure risk and mortality. Despite various implicated mechanisms, effective DCM treatments remain elusive. This study aimed to construct a comprehensive competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network in DCM using bioinformatics analysis.

Childhood body size, adulthood adiposity, underlying mechanisms, and risk of incident hypertension: a prospective cohort study of 180,527 participants.

Background: Mechanisms underlying the association of life-course adiposity with incident hypertension in adulthood have not been comprehensively investigated. In this study, we aimed to investigate the potential biochemical and metabolomic mechanisms underlying the association between adiposity and incident hypertension.

Methods: A total of 180,527 participants from the UK Biobank aged 37 to 73 years were included.

Does diabetes modify the triglyceride-glucose index associated with cardiovascular events and mortality? A meta-analysis of 50 cohorts involving 7,239,790 participants.

Introduction: Previous studies highlighted the association between the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index and cardiovascular events in patients with diabetes. However, whether diabetes affects TyG-cardiovascular diseases (CVD) is still unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the association between the TyG index and CVD risk, stratified by diabetes status, as well as the potential modifying effect of diabetic status.